Publications by Alexandra Fries

IAN is committed to producing practical, user-centered communications that foster a better understanding of science and enable readers to pursue new opportunities in research, education, and environmental problem-solving. Our publications synthesize scientific findings using effective science communication techniques.

2020 Severn River Report Card (Page 1)

2020 Severn River Report Card

Nathan Miller, Alexandra Fries ·

Published in 2021, the 2020 Severn River Report Card summarizes data collected in the summer of 2020. The Severn River received a C- grade in 2020. All three indicators--water clarity, dissolved oxygen, and underwater grasses--declined from 2019 to 2020. However, more samples were collected in 2020 than in 2019, so comparing the two years is not apples to apples.

2020 Integration and Application Network Report Card (Page 1)

2020 Integration and Application Network Report Card

Alexandra Fries ·

In the annual IAN Report Card, IAN staff reflect on accomplishments from 2020. The self-assessment is based on indicators in three categories: social impacts, ecological outcomes, and partner engagement. Overall, IAN received an overall grade of C (78%) which is a decrease from the 2019 score of B (84%).

Chesapeake Bay & Watershed Report Card 2020 (Page 1)

Chesapeake Bay & Watershed Report Card 2020

Alexandra Fries, Sky Swanson, Caroline Donovan, Annie Carew, Joe Edgerton, Heath Kelsey ·

This report card provides a transparent, timely, and geographically detailed assessment of Chesapeake Bay. Since 2016, UMCES has engaged stakeholders throughout the watershed to transform the report card into an evaluation of the Chesapeake Watershed health. Watershed health includes traditional ecosystem indicators, but also social, economic, and cultural indicators. This is the second year the watershed has been scored, and four new indicators have been added.

2020 Chesapeake Bay Report Card Economic Indicator Two-Pager (Page 1)

Local economy indicators coming next year

Michael Shuman, George Chmael ·

This newsletter highlights synthesis outcomes from the Fall 2020 Economic Indicators workshop. Five new economic indicators were generated that will eventually be incorporated into future iterations of the Chesapeake Bay Report Card.

Coastal Georgia Ecosystem Report Card 2020 (Page 1)

Coastal Georgia Ecosystem Report Card 2020

Alexandra Fries, Kelly Dobroski ·

This is the seventh Coastal Georgia Ecosystem Report Card. Georgia DNR has been creating report cards since 2014, when IAN helped kick off the process. This report card updates indicators and methods. New indicators added were dissolved oxygen, spotted seatrout, and bald eagles. Overall, Coastal Georgia received a score of 77%, a B+.

The Development Process and Methods for the Coastal Georgia Report Card (Page 1)

The Development Process and Methods for the Coastal Georgia Report Card

Alexandra Fries, Kelly Dobroski ·

This companion document to the 2020 Coastal Georgia report card contains information about data sources for all indicators, a summary of analysis methods, and scoring details. The values and threats to Coastal Georgia were revisited and indicator importance and relevance were reviewed. This led to the addition of three new indicators: dissolved oxygen, bald eagles, and spotted seatrout. The two indicators covering right whales (population and calves) were removed from the report card scoring.

2019 Integration and Application Network Report Card (Page 1)

2019 Integration and Application Network Report Card

Brianne Walsh, Alexandra Fries ·

In the annual IAN Report Card, IAN staff reflect back on accomplishments from 2019. The self-assessment is based on indicators in three categories: social impacts, ecological outcomes, and partner engagement. Overall, IAN received an overall grade of B (84%) which is a slight decrease from the 2018 score of B (86%).

2019 Severn River Report Card (Page 1)

2019 Severn River Report Card

Alexandra Fries ·

Published in 2020, the 2019 Severn River Report Card summarizes data collected in the summer of 2019. The Severn River earned a B in 2019, in part because of a "banner year" for underwater grasses. The coverage of underwater grasses in the Severn River more than doubled from 2018 to 2019, which is the greatest coverage seen in generations. The report card also provides recommendations for civilian action that can help improve the cleanliness of the river.